Contents |
Description
Computer
The Sony HB-F1 was available in all black or in black and red. It was aimed at the Japanese market.
The computer comes with an external power adapter, it includes a pause button that allows users to pause the system at will and a speed slider which can be used to slow down the system.
| Brand | Sony |
| Type | HB-F1 |
| Year | 1986 |
| Region | Japan |
| Original price | ¥32,800 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-3 |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG |
| Chipset | Yamaha S1985 |
| Extras | firmware (Address book, Schedule and Memo), pause button, speed controller. |
Firmware
The firmware is launched automatically when you boot the machine. Bypassing this software on startup requires the user to press the DEL key during boot until a Beep sound.
From MSX-BASIC, you can go to the Personal Databank with CALL HITBIT or _HITBIT.
Pictures
Firmware
Specifications
The Sony HB-F1 is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back).
The power adapter specifications are the same as the adapter for the Panasonic FS-A1.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 64kB Memory Mapper | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Firmware 2 | Firmware 3 | ||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Firmware 1 | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RGB output
- RF output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Tape recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (joysticks, mouse, paddle controllers, ...)
- 2 cartridge slots
Trivia
When keeping the Y and P keys pressed during boot, you will get a scrolling list of the development team followed by a digitized voice saying "It's a Sony!". A video of it is available here. The Y and P keys seem to refer to "Yellow Panther", which is also encoded as a message at the beginning of the ROM. The message (written backwards in the ROM) reads "A Yellow Panther Production, 1986".